Mechanical ball game



ug. 20, i929. fg; @Mg-wg 25546 NiMH/mmm; BALL GAME Original Filed. AugA 13, 1923 6 Snee-QS-Shee, l

Figa.

ug. 20, i929.

G. SMITH MECHANICAL BALL GAME original Filed Aug. '15, i925 AW G. SMWH l725,546

MECHANICAL BALL GAME Original Filed Aug. l5, 1923 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 ug. 20, 1929. Q sMlTH 1,725,54@

MECHANI CAL BALL GAME Original Filed Aug. 13, 1923 6 Sheets- Sheen 4 Aug, 20 E929. G. SMITH @725,546

MECHANICAL BALL GAME Original Filed Aug. l5, 1923 6 SheeS-Shee. 5

www

ug. 20, i929., G. SMITH MECHANICAL BALL GAME Grigmal Filed Aug. 13, 1923 (5 Sheets-Sheet Patented Aug. 20, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GoRDoN sMrTH, oF THCRPR RAY, ENGLAND, AssIGNoR, BY MRSNR ASSIGNMENTS, To CHRSTRRFIELD CoNTRoL COMPANY, or DOVER, DELAWARE, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

' MECHANICAL BALL GAME.

Application lcd August 1li, 1923, Serial No. 657,230, and in Great Britain August 26, 1922. Renewed y March 25, 1927.

This invention relates to an improved game the mechanism of which will be operated by a player, the results achieved being dependent upon thc skill of such operation.

It is an object of the invention to provide a game which preferably will be actuated by two players in opposition to each other and each actuating certain sets of mechanism controlling portions of the game ,acting in opposition to each other, one player matching his skill in both defensive and offensive tactics against the skill of the other, and the final result achieved being dependent to the greatest extent upon the precise manner in which the game mechanism is actuated.

A further object is that of furnishing a game the mechanism of which may include a set of missile-impelling members, andin which the operator may duplicate, by the skill with which he actuates the mechanism, plays typical of an actual game played by a team, the present invention contemplating the missile-impelling members aforementioned as preferably simulating in appearance actual members of a team of players; and, if desired, the actual impelling members being provided by limb-portions of the iigures animated through the medium of a suitable mechanism; the motion or motions of the animated portions of the figures corresponding generally to the motions of actual players, and the figures being mounted upon a deck simulating the appearance of a playing` field so as to reproduce the actual play of the game as faithfully as possible.

A still further object is that 'of providing a mechanism governing the delivery of a missile to the deck.

Another object is that of providing a game of this nature which, if desired, may have associated with it a token-controlled mechanism which will serve to prevent a playing of the game until a token or coin has been inserted, which mechanism thereupon will remain inoperative until the occurrence of a certain event, las, for example, a score being made, whereupon the parts' again will be locked until a further token or coin is inserted.

Still another object of the invention is that of providing a game the parts of which will be relatively few in number and simple and rugged 1n construction, and capable of being assembled at a comparatively nominal gure to provide a game which may be sub- ]ected to hard usage over long periods of time with freedom from mechanical difiiculty.

Other objectsv of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter. i

With these and further objects in mind, the invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter `set forth, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a partly sectional side elevation of one form of game embodying the improved construction of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view taken along the lines 3-3 of Fig. l;

Figs. 4 is enlarged fragmentary sectional side View of portions of the game and mechanism for operating the same; and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken along the lines 5 5 and in the direction of the; arrows of the second section of Fig. 4.

In its illustrated embodiment the invention has been shown as a game of the football type. It is here to be understood that, While the present invention embraces all of the qualifications necessary, and is particularly adapted, to this game, the foregoing illustrations and subsequent description may be modified in numerous respects Without departing from the spirit of the invention and in order to provide games of different types embodied within this invention.

Thus, the letter a indicates the deck of the game, which, in the present exemplification. simulates in appearance a football field and l y may be a miniature football, is freely movable over the field.

Positioned upon the field are two opposed groups of proJectile-impelling members, in the present instance simulating the appearance of football players; these figures being identified by the numerals 1 to 22 inclusive; it being observed that the numerals 1 and 22 indicate the goal keepers of the respective teams, which, as shown, are secured one to each of the carriages f; the balance of the players of each team preferabl being situated adjacent the bases of the epressions b.

Each .of the figures 2 to 21 inclusive may include a body from which a rigid leg n extends downwardly and is firmly attached to the deck of the game. The second leg o is pivoted to the body as at z', and provides a missile-projectin member in that a link Z has its upper en attached to this leg to the rear of the pivot as at m, its lower end being secured to the arm of a bell-crank lever k, hereinafter more particularly described. As a consequence, when the lever is rocked the link will be moved downwardly to swing the leg o, and if a projectile or missile is resting in advance thereof it will be obvious that it will be im elled across the deck at a speed corresponding to that with which the animated portion of the figure is moved.

With a view to actuating the animated portions of the figures or other impelling members, shafts p, g, r, and s extend transversely of the deck and below. the same, these shafts being mounted in bearings t carried by brackets u which are suitably att-ached to the machine frame. The shafts are oscillated by means of exterior handles fv, fw, and y, the movement of which is limited by pins z cooperating with projections 30 extending from said handles. Below the deck shafts 32, 33, 34 and 35 are mounted` and these shafts carry arms 40, 41, 42 and 43, which have one end of links 36, 37, 38 and 39 secured to them, the opposite ends of these links being secured to arms 31 attached to shafts p, g, r and s.

The bell-crank levers 7c are mounted one upon each of shafts 47 and 50, and the arms 46 of these levers are attached to the outer ends of links and 49 respectively. the inner ends of these links being secured to arms 44 and 48 attached to the shafts 33 and 35 respectively. lhese latter shafts loosely a link to the arm 61 of a bell-crank lever 62 mounted, in the present instance, to move ina horizontal plane; the second arm 63 of this lever being link-connected as at 64 to the carriage f adjacent which it lies. Simi- -larly, the arm 65 is link-connected as'at 66 to an arm 67 of a bell-crank lever 68 corre- .sponding to thebell-crank lever 62 and likewise having an arm 69 which is link-connected as at 70 to the carriage f adjacent which it is ositioned.

Mounted elow the deck of the game are shafts 74 and 81, the former being actuated in that it has attached to it an arm 73 connected by a link 72 to an arm 71 secured to the shaft 32, and the latter being actuated in that, similarly, it has an arm 80 connected to one end of a link 79, the opposite end of which is attached to an arm 78 mounted upon the shaft 34. Bell-crank levers 77 and 84 are rockingly mounted below the deck. and the' first is connected by means of a link 76 to an arm secured to the shaft 32, while the latter is connected by a link 83 to an arm 82 attached to shaft 34. In order that the parts normally may assume a position at which the impelling members, or, specically, the animated portions of the figures` are in a position which, upon their being actuated, will result in movement being imparted to any projectile or missile resting in front of the same, a spring 85 vis secured to arms attached to the shafts p and s, for example, the arms 41-43. Springs 86 and 87 are likewise connected to arms attached to the shafts p and s, for example, arms 40--42l The shafts 32, 33, 34, 35, 47, 50, 74 and 8l actuate respectively the animated portions (specifically, the kicking legs) of the players 4-6, 7-8, 17-18, 15-16, 2-3, 20-21, 9-11, 13-14, by means of arms 40X-7l", 88-89,42-78", 90-91,92-j, 93-94,957 3, 96-80, secured to these shafts. The horizontal arms of the bell-crank levers 77-84 are connected by links, as aforedescribed, to the animated portions of the player figures 5 and 19. In order to actuate the animated portions of players 10 and 12, the shaft 74 loosely mounts a bell-crank lever 97 having one of its ends connected to the animated portion of the first-named player; its second arm being link-connected to an arm 98 secured to the shaft 33. Likewise, a bellcrank lever 99 is loosely mounted upon shaft 81 and has one of its arms connected to the animated portion of player figure 12, its second arm being link-connected to-an arm 100 i lsecured to the shaft 35. Thus, it will be seen that by actuating the handles or controls w and the two players of the game will operate in unison the kicking legs or other anlmated portions of the two groups of player figures. The handles or controls o and y 1n turn serve to actuate the target blocking elements and in the embodiment illustrated, specifically. the goal keepers,` the purpose of this construction being hereinafter described.

To the rear of the goals d and e the deck is formed with openings 101-102 of a size adequate to allow for the passage of the missile h, and it is obvious that the operator having control of the handles or levers fv-w may, by shifting the first-named handle, operate the goal-blocking mechanism. This will result. in the present instance, in a shifting of the goal-keeper figure laterally to intercept the ball, thus blocking the Igoal and preventing the missile from dropping through the opening 101 to the rear of such goal and causing the missile to rebound onto the field. Also, the operator, by manipulating the handle fw, may assume the aggressive by causing the movable portions of the figures to be animated and project the missile toward his opponents goal; it being appreciated that such opponent, by means of the handles m-y, likewise may assume the defensive or offensive, blocking the path of travel of the missile and propelling it in an opposite direction and guarding against such missile passing between the goal posts and into the opening 102.

Extending from the openings to the rear of the goal posts are inclined chutes. The base of each chute is interruptedk adjacent its lower end, and at these points plates 105 are swingingly mounted by means of a shaft 106. Normally, as has been shown in the second section of Fig. 4, the plate extends upwardly within the chute, incident to an extension 108 attached to the shaftand mounting at its outer end a counter-weight 112; a link 109 in each instance being attached to the lower end of the arm 107, the inner ends of the links being guided by members 110 and extending, as hereinafter described, to control the operation of the game by the delivery of the missile to the deck.

While the operation of the game may be controlled in a number ef differert ways` it is preferred that such control ne exercised by the presence or absence of the mis sile, in the present instance, the ball 7L, from the upper surface of the field. Obviously, after a goal has been scored, and the ball passed through one of the openings lOl- 102, the game may not be played further until the ball is returned to the field, which in the present instance, is accomplished preferably by having a delivery mechanism which effects such return at a point .o

one side of the center of the field and I projecting members, each including, in the present instance, a roller 114 mounted upon an arm 117 secured to the outer end of a lever 118. The latter is fulcrumed to a bracket 119 secured to the lower face of the deck, and its outer end may be guided by a slotted member 120. When the lever 118 is in its raised position, arms 121 forming extensions of the arms 117 block exits 113 of the chutes, and the lever is normally maintained in its position by means of a catch 122 forming a part of a bell-crank lever and cooperating with a catch-member 122 secured to the lever 118; this bell-crank lever being pivotally secured to the under side of the means of a bracket 1211.

At the upper ends of the guideways 116 the field is provided with a` central ridge cx furnished 'by trap-doors 128, one for each of the chutes, and it is apparent that upon the catch 122 being released from the catch 122", and the lever 118 being permitted to fall, if the ball is within one of the chutes 104-105, this ball will move out through the proper opening 113, whereupon the lever 118 may be operated to cause the ball to be projected through the proper chute and onto the field, where it will come to lie in advance of either of figures 10 or 12 and affording that team an opportunity for kick-off against which a goal was last scored. The raising of the lever 118 may be effected by securing to the shaft g an arm 126 mounting a roller 127 which underlies the lower edge of the lever. Consequently, if this shaft is rocked in a clockwise direction, and with the lever 118 in the position shown in Fig. 4, the latter will be elevated to project a missile through one of the trap-doors 128.

If the lever 118 is swung upwardly before the missile enters one of the guideways 116, this lever is prevented from being swung to an extent at which the catches 122-122X engage by means of a finger 129 secured to a shaft 130 and arranged in the path of travel of the lever. The shaft 130 mounts curved fingers 131 extending into the chutes 116, at least one of these fingers being extended and having a spring secured thereto, which latter acts to vmaintain the parts normally in the position sho-wn in Fig. 5. Thus, the lever may not be moved upwardly to any great extent if a missile is not being projected through one of the shafts, but if the missile is being raised in this manner, in passing that finger 131 which extends into its chute, it will exert a. camming action against the same, resulting in a partial rotation of the shaft 130 field as at 123 by and a movement of the finger 129 out of the path of travel of the lever 118.

A token-control apparatus -preferablfy is employed for permitting an operation o the missile-delivering mechanism, and, accordingly, in the present exemplificatibn a com and token slot 125 has been-shown provided at the upper end of a chute, and a switch-plate 133 has its lower end. 132 extending into this chute; this plate being mounted upon a pivot 134 and having its upper end 135 arranged to intercept a second tokeninserted through the slot 125 and divert the latter into the branch chute 136, through which it will fall onto a lever 137 which is connected by means of a link 138 with the second arm 139 of the bellcrank lever which provides the catch 122. The latter is thus caused to release the lever 118 upon the insertion of the token, and the missile-delivering mechanism may be operated accordingly.

The first coin, after having swung the plate 133, is retained against further movement by means of the inner ends of the links 109 until the ball or other missile, after having passed through one of the goals, moves down one of the chutes 104-105, such downward movement causing a swinging of one of the plates 105 and a consequent moving of the link 109 to a position at which further movement of the token down the chute is permitted.

In order to prevent the insertion of tokens during the playing of a game a rod or wire 140 has its outer end 141 entering an opening 142 and extending into the token chute 111, this rod being connected to one of the arms 3l on the shaft g and being withdrawn when the latter moves.

Thus, among others, the objects of this invention have been accomplished, and since certain changes may be made in the above construction, and different embodiments of the invention could be made, without departing from the scope thereofit is intended that all matter contained in the above description .or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the follow ing claims are intended to cover all of the generic and s ecific features of the invention herein descri ed, and all statements of the scope of the invention which as a matter of language might be said to fall therebetween.-

I claim:

1. An apparatus for playing a game of football comprising in combination a playing surface, a plurality of depressions in said playing surface, a goal at each end of such pla ing surface, model players facing each goa a fixed leg to support each player near the bottom of a depression, a pivoted leg to each player, a ball, means of operating the pivoted leg of a plurality of players so as to cause one of them 'to pro el said ball towards one of the goals, a mo el goalkeeper movably mounted between the posts of each goal, and means of'v moving each goal-keeper laterally acrossthe entrance to each goa to prevent the ball passing through substantially as set forth.

2e An apparatus for pla ing a game of football comprising in combination a playing surface, a plurality of depressions in said playing surface, a goal at each end of such playing surface, two teams of model players, one of said teams being distributed over the playing surface and facing one oal and the other also distributed over said p aying surface and facing the other goal, a xed leg to support each player near the bottom of a depression, a pivoted leg to each player, a ball, means for operating the pivoted leg of a plurality of players in groups so as to cause one of them to propel said ball towards one of the goals, a slide located between the posts of each goal, a model goalkeeper mounted on each slide and means of moving each goal-keeper laterall across the entrance to each goal to prevent t e ball passing through substantially as set forth.

3. An apparatus for playing a game of football comprising in combination a playing surface, a plurality of depressions in said 9 playing surface, a goal at each end of such playing surface, two teams of model players, one of said teams being distributed over the playing surface and facing one goal and the other also distributed over said playing surface and facing the other goal, a fixed leg to support each player near the bottom of a depression, a pivoted leg to each player, a ball, means for operating the pivoted leg of a plurality'of players in groups so as to cause one of them to propel said ball towards one of the goals, said means consisting of shafts journalled beneath the playing surface, arms mounted on said shafts, links to connect said arms to the pivoted leO 1 of each player and to one arm of a bell-cran lever fulcrumed near each goal, two levers for actuating the shafts that operate each. team'of players, a slide located between the posts of each goal, a goal-keeper mounted on l each slide, a link to connect said slide to the other arm of the adjacent bell-crank le ver so as to move each goal-keeper laterally across the entrance to each goal to prevent the ball passing through it, substantially as set forth.

4. An apparatus for playing a game of football comprising in combination a playing surface, a plurality of depressions in said playing surface, a goal at each end of l such playing surface, two teams of model players, one of said teams being distributed over the playing surface and facing one goal and the other also distributed over said playing surface and facing the other goal, a l

lill) so as to cause one of them to propel said ball towards one of the goals, said means consisting of shafts journalled beneath the playing surface, arms mounted on said shafts, links to connect said arms to the 'pivoted leg of each player and to one arm of a bell-crank lever fulcrumed near each goal, two levers for actuating the shafts that op- .erate each team of players, a slide located between the posts of each goal, a vgoalakeeper mounted onv each slide, a link to connect said slide to the other arm of the adjacent bellcrank lever so as to move each goal-keeper laterally across the entrance to each goal to prevent the ball passing through, an opening behind each goal, ball guides extending from beneath thcplaying surface to point-s above it' on both sides of the centre, a. trap door hinged to the playing surface above each ball guide so as to deliver the ball on the side of the field on Which'it is situated, inclined chutes beneath the playing surface, to convey the' ball after a goal has been scored to the bottom of the ball-guide on the same` side of the field, and means of lifting the said ball to said playing surface, substantially as set forth. 'l f' 5. An apparatus for playing a game of football comprising in combination a playing surface, a plurality of depressions in said playing surface, a goal at each end of such playing surface, two teams of model players, one of said teams being ydistributed over the playing-surface and facing one goal and the other also distributed over said playing surface and facing Ithe other goal, a fixed leg to support each player near the bottom of a depression, a pivoted leg to each player, a ball means for operating the pivoted leg of a plurality of players in groups so as to cause one of them to propel said ball towards one of the goals, said means consisting of shafts journalled beneath the playing surface, arms.

mounted on said shafts, links to connect said arms to the pivoted leg of each player and to onearm of a bell-crank lever fulcrumed near each goal, two levers for actuating the shafts that operate each team of players, a slide located between the posts of each goal, a goalkeeper mounted on each slide, a link to counect said slide to the other arm of the adjacent bell-crank lever so as to move each goalkeeper laterally across the entrance to each goal to prevent the ball passing through, an opening behind each goal, ball-guides extending from beneath the playing surface to points above it on both sides of the centre, a trap door hinged to the playing surface above each ball-guide so ask to deliver the ball on the side of the eld on which it is situated, in-

convey the ball after al goal has been scored to the bottom of the ball-guide on the same side of the field, a ball-lifting lever, a catch to normally maintain it in its elevated position, rollers on the ball-lifting lever that eX- tendl into the ball guides, arms carried by said ball-lifting lever to close the opening between the inclined chutes and ball guides when the ball-lifting lever is raised. a lever mounted on one of the operating shafts and adapted to raise said ball lifting lever in order to return the ball to the playing surface, substantially` as set forth.

6. A game, including.v al deck, a plurality of sets of opposed proj ectile-impelling members upon said deck, means for simultaneously actuating the members of one set, said deck being provided with a projectile-receiving portion, means movable transversely of the deck for blocking the passage of said projectile to such portion, and means for controlling said last-named means.

7. A game. including two sets of opposed figures, a deck n'lounting the same and being formed with projectile-receiving portions at its opposite ends, means for moving portions of said ligures to impel aprojectile across said deck and toward one of said receiving portions, means arranged in advance of the latter and movable with respect to the deck for blocking the travel of said projectile toward said receiving portions, and means extending from said receiving portions and actingto deliver' a projectile reaching such portions to said deck and to a point adjacent one of the figures of the set which faces away from said receiving portion into which said projecto said deck and to cooperate, one with each of said target portions, said mechanisms being disposed to ilnpel a missile in dillerent directions, missile-conducting means associated With said target portions and means for delivering a missile from said conducting means to said deck and in operative position with respect to the impelling mechanisni faeing in a direction other than that in which the member, which has last succeeded in negotiating a target faces. i

GORDON SMITH. 

